A glance at the table provided reveals the changes which took place in the source of student income over a decade in the United Kingdom from 1988/89 to 1998/99.
Parental contribution dropped by 16% from 32% in 1988 to 16% in 1998/99. At the same time, grants stood at 38% in 1988/89 and 1989/90, but plunged to 23% in 1995/96 and 16% in 1998/99.
On the other hand, there was a 6% growth in earnings, which was 6% of total income in 1988/89 but rose to 14% in 1995/96 before decreasing slightly to 12% in 1998/99. Student loans, which were not a source of income in 1988/89, soared to 24% in 1998/99. Meanwhile, other income went up 10% from 24% in 1988/89 to 34% in 1998/99 although there was a fluctuation during the period.
Overall, parental contribution, grants and earnings became less important while student loans and other income became more important in students’ income. (How did total income change?)